Good Entrepreneurship Conference promotes small business
Keynote speaker Mike Pahvitse at the Good Entrepreneurship Conference on Thursday, November 17.
By JAMES HILL
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Small Business Outreach Program hosted the Good Entrepreneurship Conference to help small businesses learn how to start or expand their businesses at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Event Center on Thursday.
The day began with an opening prayer from Fort Hall Business Council member Lee Juan Tyler, followed by songs from Spring Creek drum group.
Fort Hall Business Council Chairman Nathan Small welcomed everyone in attendance.
The agenda included a small panel titled Breaking Down Walls of Starting a Small Business. Panelists include Ladd Edmo (TERO council representative), TJ Tso (CDFI and Navigator Program), Travis Stone (Land Use), Colista Matsaw (Idaho Connect Advisor), Cheryl O’Brien (Idaho Connect Advisor) and Shalynn Kellogg was the moderator, on how to get start-up funds.
Mike Pahvitse and RoseAnn Abrahamson were both keynote speakers, and Echo Marshall also provided a Linkedin training.
Business pitch competition winners: First place Tyson Shay, second place Juanita Yupe and third place Georgette Running Eagle.
A fashion show featuring Indigenous creators was at noon.
Another panel titled Successful Native American Small Business, included Randy’L Teton, Ann Jim, Eleanor Surdam, Brodie Sanchez, Connie Davis and Kira Murillo. Afterward FHBC Treasurer Roland Marshall and Echo Marshall had a Zumba presentation.
Angie Lion shared a presentation about How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a Business. Another keynote speaker Georgette Running Eagle shared her small business journey.
At 3 p.m. there was a pitch competition where small business owners pitched their idea to judges who sponsored the event. The top three won cash prizes — Georgette Running Eagle was third, Juanita Yupe second and Tyson Shay got first place.
The event ended with a raffle and a victory song.
Owner of Shokota Pow-Wow Supply, Georgette Running Eagle talks about her business.
Small Business Outreach Coordinator TJ Tso said, “The whole purpose of this was to make sure our people are able to take care of themselves —become self-reliant and also help our money stay within the Fort Hall community.”
Planning for this event started at the beginning of the year.
Idaho Connect helped sponsor the conference and Colista Matsaw said the main focus was to educate on resources and provide success stories.
